As the Indo-Pacific edges deeper into strategic turbulence, one partnership is proving to be a bulwark against uncertainty: the U.S.-Philippine alliance. In a region where China’s maritime assertiveness is reshaping the balance of power, old allies are finding new resolve. On May 30, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Philippine Secretary of National…
Philippines EU Launch Security Dialogue To elevate strategic partnership, the Philippines and the European Union have agreed to establish a formal security and defense dialogue aimed at tackling a wide range of 21st-century threats — from cyberattacks and foreign interference to maritime security challenges and hybrid warfare. The move, announced on Monday during the visit…
Philippines to Develop its Biggest Airport In the icy waters of the North Atlantic, NATO frigates and Russian submarines play a silent game of cat-and-mouse through the GIUK Gap—a strategic naval chokepoint between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK. It’s a place where geography defines power, where nations dig in not for conquest, but for presence….
Without U.S. who will stand against china? In a region where every missile launch makes headlines and alliances define stability, a quiet but powerful shift is underway. The United States is considering a partial military withdrawal of around 4,500 troops from South Korea—out of the 28,500 currently stationed there. At first glance, it seems like…
Pagasa Island—aptly named “hope” in Filipino—is a mere 37 hectares in size, yet it carries immense symbolic and strategic weight for the Philippines. Situated in the disputed South China Sea, it hosts a tiny civilian community of around 300 residents who live in modest wooden homes, fish the greenish blue waters, and grow vegetables in…
On May 25, 2025, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) marked a significant leap in its maritime defense capabilities with the official arrival of its first ATR 72-600MPA maritime patrol aircraft , delivered from Italy via Phuket, Thailand. This advanced platform, equipped with cutting-edge surveillance systems including radar, electro-optical sensors, and signals intelligence (SIGINT) gear, is…
The Philippines’ Modernization Imperative: From Internal Security to Archipelagic Defense The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has historically focused on internal security challenges such as insurgencies and terrorism, with limited investment in external defense capabilities. This internal orientation, coupled with outdated equipment, left the country vulnerable to external threats. However, recent developments in…
Imagine a place of stunning beauty — islands surrounded by bright turquoise waters, home to colorful coral reefs and peaceful beaches. Now picture that same place at the center of a dangerous global conflict. That’s what’s happening in the South China Sea, where geography meets geopolitics in a very tense way. This sea is one…
The Philippine Air Force’s Interest in the F-16 Viper For decades, the Philippine Air Force has defended its skies with legacy aircraft—outdated platforms in a region rapidly modernizing its aerial arsenals. But now, a game-changer is on the horizon. The F-16 Viper—America’s legendary multirole fighter jet—is being offered to the Philippines. Is this the long-awaited…
As the Philippines ‘Bristles’ with Missiles, Is It a Deterrent or a Dangerous Escalation? Once heavily reliant on the United States for its defense, the Philippines is now entering a new era of military capability—armed with a growing missile arsenal sourced from key allies like the U.S., Israel, South Korea, France, and India. This transformation,…
